OPTIMIZING JOB CREATION AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: A GOAL PROGRAMMING APPROACH

Unemployment and solid waste management (SWM) are pressing challenges in Nigeria, with youth unemployment reaching critical levels and waste disposal practices straining environmental sustainability. This study explores the integration of job creation and SWM through a goal programming framework, aiming to address resource allocation, sustainability, and managerial decision-making. By leveraging the potential of integrated SWM, such as recycling and material recovery, this research identifies innovative pathways to transform waste into wealth, generate employment opportunities, and promote environmental conservation.Using secondary data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), alongside stakeholder interviews, the study develops a multi-objective optimization model using goal programming approach. The results indicate that optimal allocation of resources in waste collection and recycling could create over 1,400 jobs, providing a practical solution to Nigeria's unemployment crisis while fostering sustainable waste management practices. This research underscores the need for stakeholder collaboration, policy reforms, and investments in infrastructure to maximize the dual benefits of job creation and environmental sustainability in the waste management sector.The findings have significant implications for policymakers and waste management stakeholders, offering a replicable framework to balance economic growth and ecological preservation.